by HJ HOLTZ | Sep 11, 2025 | Residential Painting
In 2000, Jack Faya was a recent immigrant from Togo, a nation in West Africa, working at the Jefferson Hotel as a dishwasher. But he wanted more – a career. He found that at H.J. Holtz & Son.
Faya searched out the company on the recommendation of someone from his church. But there was a slight problem: He spoke very little English. Luckily, on the day he came to the Holtz offices, then located in Scott’s Addition, he found Lindsay Holtz, wife of current president Rick Holtz. Lindsay Holtz used her rusty French from high school to speak with Faya, who was fluent.
“I happened to be at the shop when he happened to walk in,” Lindsay Holtz recalls. “I could speak just enough French so we could figure out that he was looking for work. Once Rick hired him, Jack learned a lot of English.
“Jack really opened the door to non-English speakers,” Lindsay Holtz adds. “Just because of who Jack is, that hurdle became manageable.”
Faya began as a helper in the shop, repairing carpentry, prepping in-house jobs, and painting. After several years, he began to paint in customers’ homes. He also expanded his skill set by taking carpentry classes before the Holtz carpentry division was created – “just so I could have some skills of my own and learn something new,” he says.
Teamwork is an important part of H.J. Holtz & Son, Faya says. “You have to find the right people [to work here],” he says. “It’s not about the job; it’s about how people treat you as somebody close to them. That will give you hope that you’ve got people around you who will take your back.”
Faya says he found a family atmosphere when he first joined the company, and it’s still present.
“Rick’s father and mother were here when I came,” he says. “They made me family. They helped me learn the culture here [in the United States].”
Lindsay Holtz says the relationship between her husband and Faya is special. “Any time Rick asks for help at a charity project, Jack is the first person to sign up,” she says. “He’s the first one there and is always ready to help the next person.”
Faya says, “Rick and I are like brothers now. If I come to his office, he welcomes me and listens to me and asks me if everything is all right. Nothing can take me away from here. I’m right where I need to be.”
by HJ HOLTZ | Jun 25, 2025 | Residential Painting
Painter Robert Ferrell Marks Silver Anniversary
Robert Ferrell says he is occasionally asked by another H.J. Holtz & Son team member why he gets to set his own work hours.
“I say, ‘When you’ve been here as long as I have, you’ll be able to do that, too,’” he laughs.
It’s no joke: Ferrell joined the company in May 2000, when current president Rick Holtz’s parents – were at the helm. “I miss Rick’s parents [Dick and Geny Holtz],” Ferrell says. “They were just like parents to me.”
Over the years, Ferrell has worked as a painter and foreman. Now, he’s training new employees and also fills in for vacationing project managers or checks project sites to make sure everything is going as planned. Ferrell says it’s been good to see H.J. Holtz & Son’s growth over the years and is proud of the way the company treats its employees.
“I don’t think of the company as a workshop; I think of it as a school,” he says. “You can learn a lot of things: brush painting, spraying, glazing, wallpapering, carpentry. We’ve got very talented people here, and Rick goes out of his way to send people to school to learn whatever has to be done.”
Learning happens at every level, Ferrell says, noting that a new painting team member recently showed him how she tapes sandpaper around a stick so she can more efficiently prep tight areas. Ferrell then shared the tip with other painters. “I learn something new every day,” he says.
What is consistent, Ferrell says, is the Holtz approach to customer service and detail with every project.
“Customers need to know who we are and trust us with their home, because we treat it like it’s ours,” he says, noting that clients routinely share that they wouldn’t typically leave their house with workmen inside, but they do when it’s a Holtz team. “We leave a house like we found it, and we do other things, like bring in the mail, take the dog on a walk. We try to go out of our way to accommodate clients. We’re very respectful,” Ferrell notes. “The foremen don’t tolerate foolishness.”
Following two surgeries in 2024, Ferrell decided it was time to slow down at work a little, an approach supported by Rick Holtz. He now works three days a week.
“Rick Holtz took care of me, as always,” Ferrell says. “He’s like a brother to me, like a family member. We’ve got good vibes together.”
by HJ HOLTZ | Jun 4, 2025 | Residential Painting
Even the best-maintained homes need a refresh now and then. Everyday use will lead to dings and smudges that dull the shine of walls and cabinets. The good news is that a fresh coat of paint easily restores a home’s sparkle for a fraction of the cost of a full renovation.
Repaint, not replace
Cabinets are built to last. As a built-in for the home, cabinets can withstand years of use, even abuse. But repairs made by qualified craftspeople, followed by a fresh coat of paint, will add years. At H.J. Holtz & Son, we can assess your cabinetry with an in-home visit and give an assessment of the repairs needed, if any. Then we’ll develop a plan, including a timeline, for what’s to come next.
Professional spray coating
In most situations, our team will remove the cupboard fronts so that they can be properly cleaned, sanded, and painted in one of our in-house spray booths. The spray booths offer a climate-controlled, virtually dust-free environment, ensuring a smooth, even finish. You can select a new color, for a new look, or keep the existing color that matches the home’s existing decor.
In-house painting
Because the original cabinets are staying in place, the exteriors – known as the cabinet boxes – will be painted in position. Once emptied, the Holtz painting team will clean, sand, and repair, just as is done for the fronts. Surrounding areas will be protected with masking film and tape. This work is done by hand, to ensure attention to detail at the corners and edges, which take the most wear.
Why hire a professional
Do-it-yourself home repairs can be satisfying, and many homeowners will attempt what they believe to be simple tasks. But skimping on a high-visibility element of the house is penny-wise and pound-foolish. The experienced, full-time, well-trained painters at H.J. Holtz & Son know how to properly prepare for any painting job, even one that appears to be as easy as applying a fresh coat of paint to cabinets. Without proper preparation, cabinets will appear bulky – not crisp and fresh – and areas that have chipped will be more likely to chip again.
Call us for a free estimate today.
by HJ HOLTZ | Apr 16, 2024 | Historic Restoration, Carpentry Services, Residential Painting
Every year, the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week in Virginia demonstrates the power of “curb appeal” – the term often used to refer to the aesthetics of a property’s exterior. H.J. Holtz & Son understands the importance of that initial impression.
“There’s so much to think about outside,” says company President Rick Holtz. “Shutters, windows, trim, and doors – these are all obvious. But you also have fences, railings, porches, benches, even outbuildings. Sometimes, homeowners don’t consider those elements, because they’re so focused on the inside, but that’s what people see first.”
For 2024’s tour, Holz & Son worked at 4601 Lilac Lane, where on April 23 ticket-holders will be able to tour nearly four acres of garden and farm, tucked inside Richmond’s city limits. The homeowners, longtime Holtz clients, had the company repaint shutters and doors as well as paint the entire pool house. Tour participants on April 25 will be able to see 109 Nottingham Road, which has a fresh, Holtz-painted front door covered in a Fine Paints of Europe coating.
Not everyone has a house that will someday be featured on a Historic Garden Week tour, but an exterior assessment to take stock of what might need a refresh is recommended at least once a year. Outdoor surfaces are subjected to greater wear and tear than indoor spaces, thanks to the effects of sun, wind, precipitation, and even bugs and wildlife. With an in-house carpentry division, Holtz & Son is often able to repair or replace damaged wood, so a separate contractor isn’t necessary.
“In the past, we’ve rebuilt an entire gazebo, and we regularly fix railing posts and fences,” Holtz says. “Our carpentry team works both on-site and in our new expanded shop, which allows them to manage multiple jobs at a time with greater efficiency.”
To schedule an evaluation of your home’s exterior, call H.J. Holtz & Son, 804-358-4109.
Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia, Historic Garden Week dates to 1929, when it began as a way to raise money for historic Kenmore, the Fredericksburg home of Betty Washington Lewis, George Washington’s sister. Funds raised support the ongoing restoration and preservation of Virginia’s historic public gardens and landscapes across the state as well as a research fellowship program in landscape architecture.
For more information about Historic Garden Week or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.vagardenweek.org/.
by HJ HOLTZ | Apr 4, 2024 | Historic Restoration, Furniture and Cabinetry, Residential Painting
The spectacular properties featured during Historic Garden Week have been prepped for a year or more for their time in the spotlight. Participating homeowners know that hundreds of people are eager to see meticulous gardens and plantings as well as pristine interiors filled with floral arrangements created by the state’s garden club members. Nearly every year, H.J. Holtz and Son helps to ensure those spaces look their best by providing interior painting, exterior painting, custom cabinetry, and cabinetry painting.
“We’re always happy to assist an existing or new client who’s getting their house ready for the tour,” says company president Rick Holtz. “Sometimes, it’s a small project, like painting the front door and shutters, but other times, the homeowner realizes that they want a full interior refresh.”
Timing is everything when it comes to getting ready for a big event, whether it’s Historic Garden Week, or any special event. “We always encourage people to call us as soon as they have a date in mind,” Holtz says. “Our calendar typically fills quickly, but we want to help repeat customers when we can, and sometimes we have an unexpected opening. And we’re diligent to make sure we hit deadlines.”
Crews have been hard at work for weeks to ensure Holtz client homes are ready for this year’s Richmond dates: Tuesday, April 23, in Windsor Farms-Nottingham; Wednesday, April 24, in River Hill; and Thursday, April 25, in Windsor Farms-Coventry. Visitors will see Holtz handiwork in homes on both the April 23 and 25 tours.
Tuesday, April 23
Windsor Farms – hosting two tours this year – was envisioned in the early 1920s as an upscale residential neighborhood away from the grittiness of the city. Designed in an English garden style popular at the time, the carefully plotted area features many historic homes that have been thoughtfully modernized.
At 209 Nottingham Road, Holtz & Son team members painted cabinets in advance of Historic Garden Week for a new client. At 4601 Lilac Lane, where only the exterior gardens are open for the tour, the Holtz team did exterior painting on the pool house and main residence shutters and doors.
Thursday, April 25
On this second day in Windsor Farms, visitors will encounter varied architectural styles, including English Tudor, Storybook or Cotswold, and European Revival.
At 4300 Dover Road, Holtz team members painted both the dining and living rooms as well as two interior fireboxes with high heat paint. At 4500 Coventry Road, the team hung new wallpaper in the den and painted several chairs in the shop. Projects at 109 Nottingham Road included painting the front door, crown moldings, windows and trim. Holtz craftspeople also installed wallpaper in both the living room and family room, and painted in those rooms as well. The living room also features a Holtz Built cabinet.
Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia, Historic Garden Week dates to 1929, when it began as a way to raise money for historic Kenmore, the Fredericksburg home of Betty Washington Lewis, George Washington’s sister. Since then, the tour has been canceled only twice: once during World War II and in 2020, due to the COVID pandemic. Funds raised support the ongoing restoration and preservation of Virginia’s historic public gardens and landscapes across the state as well as a research fellowship program in landscape architecture.
For more information about Historic Garden Week or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.vagardenweek.org/.
by HJ HOLTZ | Mar 4, 2024 | Carpentry Services, Residential Painting
Only one thing can detract from a beautifully painted home exterior: shabby windows. That’s why H.J. Holtz & Son has extended its services to include full window restoration.
“We see this as a need for our customers,” says company President Rick Holtz. “We have the expertise when it comes to painting and carpentry; all we needed to do was apply those skills to windows.”
The Holtz carpentry division has added staff in recent years, enabling the company to increase its wood restoration and repair capabilities. The ability to offer those services has proved especially useful for older homes, which most often need carpentry repair throughout the structure. Because windows involve the joining of glass to wood, they are especially vulnerable to temperature swings, weather ranging from severe summer storms to freezing winter precipitation, and even blunt force (think tree limbs or hurled balls). Without careful monitoring, windows will, quite literally, fall apart.
Before beginning any exterior painting job, a Holtz project manager completes a thorough inspection, looking for any areas showing damage that can include wood rot, mold or organic growth, or any other harm that should be repaired before painting can begin. That inspection includes the windows, when the need for window restoration might be identified.
“We don’t want to overlook any issue,” Holtz says.
Sometimes, only one window needs attention, but if your house has original wood windows that are more than 30 years old, it’s likely they all need work. The glazing – the putty that holds the glass in the sash – breaks down over time. Without a solid seal, moisture and even bugs can make inroads, leading to the need for larger repairs or replacement.
With an expanded work space in the company’s new location in Chesterfield, the Holtz carpentry team is able to efficiently manage even large jobs. The first step in window restoration is to bring the windows to the shop, where they are disassembled. The sashes are stripped of paint and any necessary repairs are made. Then the window is reassembled, primed, and painted. The team then replaces or reinstalls the glass, reglazing with fresh putty for a thorough seal. Special care is taken during the priming stage to prevent mold growth, as the primer used provides a line of defense against encroaching moisture. The team can also improve the window’s pulley system by replacing original rope with a metal chain, making it easier to open and close the window.
The team is currently working with a general contractor who is restoring a home nearing its centennial. The owner wanted to keep the original windows for historical accuracy, so Holtz carpenters are fixing and repainting all 50+ windows.
“It’s a privilege for us to help return this house to pristine condition,” Rick Holtz says. “We are so happy to have the in-house expertise that’s needed to maintain the authenticity of these windows while ensuring they remain fully functional for years to come.”
